Each May, Acacia Creek residents and staff participate in Move for Wellness – an annual campaign that encourages participants to be mindful of how much physical activity we are getting and to inspire us to move more. Each week during the month of May, we track our purposeful movement every day to see how much progress we can make. More than 175 residents and team members participated this year!
Move for Wellness is a great way to support everyone who lives and works here in staying physically active. Staying physically active is vital to our overall well-being. Physical exercise helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, and reducing stress. Regular physical activity also appears to benefit the brain. Studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Physical activity seems to help the brain by providing good blood circulation and increasing chemicals that protect the brain. Physical activity also tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occurs with aging.
Our annual wellness campaign reminds us that exercise isn’t only for people who are training to become athletes or body builders. An important focus of exercise for seniors is functional fitness. Functional fitness is your physical ability to perform everyday tasks, such as cleaning your home, putting your groceries away or changing the sheets on your bed. The stronger your muscles are, and the more endurance you have, the easier it is for you to complete these activities and retain independence.
Functional Fitness requires moving multiple body parts and muscles at the same time, so it is important to pursue an exercise routine that requires a series of movements.
Remember: Exercise that improves functional fitness ultimately improves your independence and your quality of life – two values we hold dear at Acacia Creek, as we age successfully.
By Carolee Rodrigo, Lifestyles Manager & Penny Vittoria, Successful Aging Coach